Camping World continues to acquire more and more RV dealers on its “march on to world dominance.” Just a few of the RV dealers recently purchased or being purchased by Camping World include Roy Robinson RV, Travel Land RV Center, Halterman’s RV, Breeden RV Center, Carbon Emery RV, All Seasons RV, and Funtime RV, among others.
In some markets, Camping World has now acquired a fourth and possibly upwards of a third of the RV dealers that regularly exhibit at local RV shows.
This begs the question of what will happen to local RV shows when “King Marcus” invokes his policy of not supporting them?
A smaller regional RV show that traditionally has eight local dealers exhibiting decreases to six. In larger markets, you may have a show with 12 dealers that regularly exhibit pared down to nine.
What are the consequences of losing 25–33 percent of the local dealers exhibiting at an RV show?
- Fewer exhibiting RV dealers equates to fewer RVs for the attending public to compare.
- Fewer RV dealers means less income for the show promoters to cover their expenses. Those include renting the venue, advertising, hiring seminar speakers, paying staff, and much more. Their only choice to stay afloat is to raise prices for their exhibitors (RV dealers) and attendees (ticket admission prices).
- RV show attendees are less likely to attend the shows as they realize: Why pay more to attend the show to see fewer RVs than they were able to see in the past when there were more dealers?
- The show might hang on for a few more years until Camping World drives out one or two of the competing RV dealers in the market or acquires them.
- Collateral damage will be the nonprofit show associations that produce RV shows for the benefit of the public and the industry. Many of these associations use the proceeds of their RV shows for training local RV technicians, investing in vocation programs and donating to other non-profit organizations that support outdoor recreation.
My guess is that once enough local multiple-dealer RV shows have been defeated, we will see more of Camping World’s ‘Ultimate RV Show’ productions pop up in their place. Of course, at these “shows” there will be no way to determine if you are getting a good price on an RV as there won’t be any competition among dealers. “Peasant” RV dealers that aren’t part of the Camping World “kingdom royalty” won’t be allowed to exhibit at these shows.
What are your thoughts? Will local RV shows survive? Please share using the comment box below.
Dave will be speaking at the 2023 America’s Largest RV Show in Hershey, PA, September 13th – 17th. He would love to meet RVtravel.com readers that will be attending. Feel free to introduce yourself after one of his seminars.
##RVT1109b
In the past few decades, local RV shows have become a non-event to us. They rarely represented what we were remotely interested in. Typically they cater to the 5th wheel and trailer people and that’s not us.
Camping World is becoming like THOR, on the Sales end of RVing. With little competition, they have limited interest in the Customer and only interest in their pocket books.
Agree on all points. Plus, many new RVs are built so cheaply, with a price tag that has gone insane, why even bother going to look at something you are not interested in anyway.
No company can ignore the Customer’s desires for long and stay in business. CW needs us to buy RVs from them and bring them in for service. That is the primary revenue source that drives the business. They may attract first time buyers who don’t know any better, but repeat business will fade, if they do not provide good service and good customer service to those first time buyers. Amazon continues to grow because they continue to provide good service and price month after month, year after year, to customers who return for most of their needs.
This isn’t the first time you have seen or experienced world dominance in a market. Walmart, Amazon, ADT and many others have gone this same path by eating up or simply buying out the little ones and becoming huge. The good part is that our economy and our desire for better service provides the opportunity for a small company that offers something better to always be there. There will always be the smaller guy that provides the outstanding service, it just cost a little more than what the “World” dominant company can provide. It is up to you to decide if you want cheap price and the lower quality that goes with it or, do you want to pay a little more and receive a better quality product and great service? The choice is always yours, not theirs.
I think you’re right Dave. But truth be told RV Shows have become more and more less useful of a tool for comparing RVs. Many, if not most, of the big manufacturers (the ones who make the show) are all copying each other. With exception of finishes, most of the RVs out there look like the next. I heard a comment from a retired RV manufacturer exec the other day. He said “R&D doesn’t stand for Research and Development, it stands for Research and Duplicate.” He’s not lying. Look around.
Maybe the shows will be smaller. Maybe some will go away. But maybe, just maybe, it will be the catalyst that gets the “one offs” out there. It might just spawn a new Era of RV shows and that would be cool.
Thanks for the article and the insight! Keep it up!
“Research and Duplicate” – Love it!
Once Tesla perfects the semi perhaps they launch a van + RV concept in a few years and go direct to consumer with one price for all. And that spurs some other startups doing the same thing.
I guess I see things a little differently. The shows will slowly disappear not because of CW. CW has its own problems right now as sales drop and interest rates climb. Most, if not all, of its acquisitions have been based on borrowed money. In some markets CW is losing higher end brands (I know Winnebago has dropped them in some markets). The growth of the tier 2 mega dealerships will be the demise of shows. These tier 2 megas are buying up the smaller, family owned dealerships at a rapid scale and staying under the regulatory radar. Locally we are down to three family owned dealerships from seven a couple of years ago as they get bought out by the new megas.
CW is publicly owned. Familiarize yourself with the shareholders. Familiarize yourself with the objectives of those shareholders.
It’s time for our government to step in and stop Camping World from building a monopoly on RV dealerships and providing poor quality work. We can help by not patronizing them. I like RV shows and seeing the different models. Their Rip off and duplicate is our fault for not pressuring them for innovation with design. I feel the older RV’s had better designs than just a rectangle box with Sq windows.
Our government is not going to interfere with CW’s largest shareholders.
Blackrock and Vanguard.
Rather than depend on our government to solve our problems, how about we allow Free Enterprise to do what it always does best?
Phase 1, CW has convinced their investors to provide them capital to buy up willing “Mom and Pop” Dealerships and provide them with an often lucrative exit strategy from a lifetime of hard work in a family business and allow them to retire. (No different than Newmar and Tiffin). Actually a good result for the sellers, and no pity is required.Phase 2, ultimately, the consumer will determine the success or failure of CW and their controversial CEO. If the consumer is not treated fairly and with respect, CW and their investors will all be part of the next case study in failure. Have faith in the savvy campers to reward or punish private enterprise.
Exactly. Both of your points are spot on, as well, your opening.
Big Beer has learned much about its target demographic this year. Success and failure each exist in the same equation.
For the few years we have made a point of attending several RV Shows in our region and noticed a definite trend. Birmingham and Huntsville, AL., Chattanooga, TN., Atlanta, GA., and the shows are dominated by one or two dealers with other smaller dealers and displays around the edges. But at the same time we are seeing other dealers having their own “mini shows”, often with “show prices comparable to the big civic center shows.
We are enjoying these more. OK, fewer lines and maybe a smaller selection, but this is offset as often the parts and accessories are on sale as well. Add that we are dealing with actual sales and service people and not professional ‘Booth Babes’ that have a problem spelling RV, and the entire visit becomes far more enjoyable. The last mini we attended the service bays were open and service people were there for questions, and there was free food (even if only overcooked hot dogs) and soft drinks.
This year we see no reason to attend the big shows.
Hi, Cliff. This cracked me up regarding RV shows: “…professional ‘Booth Babes’ that have a problem spelling RV…”. 🤣🤣 Thanks! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Me To, Diane!! : ) 🤣
A couple years back, CW was NOT invited to the Florida RV show which to me was nice. They were brought back the next year. 🙁 Follow the money, honey.
We like the rv shows only because they have some interesting things in the buildings – gadgets, accessories, and such. As for shopping for an rv, rarely do they have anything I’m interested in.
“We like the rv shows only because they have some interesting things in the buildings – gadgets, accessories, and such.” That’s the only reason we go.
Don’t care one bit. Already own an RV, and wouldn’t do business with ML and CW if it was the last place on earth.
Good for you! That scumbag needs to be gone, he very bad man. No like much
Difficult to generalize with full accuracy on this subject. As a retired Owner/Executive of a sister industry, Yacht Building, there is likely much common ground. The majority of shows are actually “Profit” generating events by private promoters who make a good living charging those who display and those who attend. Only a few shows are really worthwhile to the attendees, and the cost of attending shows is the single largest annual Marketing expense for most companies (Dealers or Manufacturers). Yes, historically, shows have produced sales, but now a runaway patchwork of weekend parking lot tacky pop-up events that sour most on the RV process in general. How about a handful of Hershey-type regional events where the displays are managed by the Manufacturers? They could allow their “Dealers” to participate, but the event and displays are worth the admission and the added effort to attend with a shared cost.
I think your onto something. Like the Miami Boat Show. A manufacturer driven event. Sure seems like a workable model for the RV industry.
We are going to a different show this summer – Adventure Van Expo. No mass produced RVs, but unique models that you don’t see at the big shows. Plus the designers and builders are right there to talk to. Lots of good food and gadgets, too. I can’t wait!
This is very interesting. I live in an area where our largest, most well-known dealer owned 2 huge pieces of property in prime locations. Both locations were purchased by Lemonis. One location seems to still be operating as a dealership. The other large, prime piece of real estate sits vacant and has been vacant since purchase. In fact, all RVs have been removed. How about in your area?
Bad news for all as the CW reaches out further to bring more of what it already does. Such as now we have bad service and unfriendly dealings with CW because they feel it is us and nobody else to deal with. Sorry to say I just downsized my RV from class A to a class C (B+).
Looked at CW and nothing with LM CW has changed. Had a great salesmen, but CW has it’s rule he must follow and the higher up was not good to deal with. RUDE, Unfriendly, and many negative statement toward us as customers. SO CW was 9 miles from where I live, had several RV’s the wife and I might have considered. Went and found a unit elsewhere and drove 400 miles to get it. Got way more for my trade-in, Got a way better deal, Got exceptionally great friendly service. And then drove back with the new RV the same day.
I truly don’t see how LM & CW stay in business. I know my GoodSam Club and MotorHome Magazines are gone. Things LM touches go down fast, I remember the days CW cared for their customers.
If you’re looking for a Grand Design model, you won’t find them at Camping World. Apparently some ages old beef keep CW from carrying GDRV or GDRV from placing rigs with them.
You won’t find Tiffin there either!
Sounds like a complaint to the US Department of Justice on monopolistic practices of Camping World is in order! Possible anti-trust issues with eliminating competition.
I say throw him in jail and *** in his gruel! He deserves it.
I stopped going to camping world. They will be even less caring about customers after they take over the world. Their service, what service.
CW can’t buy a business that doesn’t want to be sold. If people don’t patronize the “mom & pop” then mom & pop will look for a buyer and move on .. or, as in many cases, remain as managers at a stable income level.
That’s all part of the way capitalism works.
Let’s see how this works. I can work for 10 years and get 1,000,000, or I can sell and get 1,000,000 in one day. That’s a stable income level
Coca-Cola buys up tiny competition and Jayco buys up everyone. Home Depot and Lowes have all but eliminated the Local Hardware store. Dick’s has the sporting goods space. Walmart, Costco, Budweiser and Microsoft. Pick a sector and you will find a behemoth or 2.
I still support local and private when I can but it’s a choice and it takes a little more energy as a customer because you may have to drive past 3 Wallgreens and 2 CVS stores on the way the Joe’s Hometown Pharmacy.
Camping world is the WORST RV dealer!!!! Their service department is laughable. I bought a 18′ Mallard 6 months ago and has been in 3x already. Let work on your infrastructure CW before you buy out the good RV dealers!!!
With Camping World taking over the local RV shops is why I shop more and more often online and Amazon I do every thing I can NOT to go to camping world.
Simply another reason to exit RV ownership. Anything King Marcus does is simply to maximize profit for himself and his shareholders. I would never purchase an RV from Campingworld, nor will I let them service my RV. I stopped patronizing CW several years ago due to their high prices, poor customer service and stores filled with junk. Simply put, fewer options translates into higher prices and further degradation of the mediocre customer service that exists in the RV industry.
Their stores have the same “junk” as other dealers do.
Along the same line, more and more campgrounds are opting out of Good Sam because of what king marcus has done to that segment of his kingdom. We are one of those leaving.
Perhaps the feds need to look into the possibility of them trying to monopolize the industry. I shop at the smaller places for RV and supplies. I will continue. CW is synonymous with poor service.
Unless they aquire LAZY Days and NIRVC, it does not even approach a monopoly. I agree they are very big but not monopoly big.
Camping World prices are high, go to your local dealer, not Camping World
If there are any local dealers left!
I won’t patronize anything that Marcus Lemonis is affiliated with.
Hi, Peggy. I glanced at your comment too quickly and thought it said, “I won’t patronize anything that Marcus Lemonis is afflicted with.” 🤣 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Freudian? Bad balance sheet could be considered an affliction.
Yep. That’s probably why I got a chuckle out of what my sometimes-weird brain “read.” Have a good evening/night, Cancelproof. 😀 –Diane
Ralph Cramdin says hi
Hi, “Ralph.” I used to watch “The Honeymooners” at my grandparents’ when I was a kid (we didn’t have a TV). Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Problem here folks is the primary market and customer base for the RV industry is no longer you and I. We are not going to help grow Camping World or the RV industry in the future. If you look at changes made at Camping World they are targeting their prime customers not a bunch of “old farts” who whine about everything that they don’t like or understand. I think the average reader of RV travel is like almost 70 years old? Stop complaining about change and challenge your mind to think of what the future could look like….maybe RV shows are already dead…they just don’t know it yet.
Just Say “No” to Marcus Lemonis and “Camping World”…… (Sorry To The Employees)
I give them 1-4 years. The RV market is tanking and the used market is getting busy and prices are dropping. If they have loaned money or have to pay for theses acquisitions, the market will deal with Camping World. Frankly they could very well be doomed due to what I have seen as a horrible reputation.
Yes Marcus needs to be stopped, I would not buy an rv from him. Crappie service and he don’t care about people. I find him to be an arrogant twit.
Oh great. More RV dealers that will overcharge their customers for poor quality, slapped together RVs and then provide horrible customer service after the sale.
On my 4th trailer and bought this through Camping World. Didn’t want to buy the only place around here with that make and model. Now I’m excellent at buying and buying cars. I’ve heard the horror stories about the uneducated who buy from them and get screwed so I was ready.
They did not disappoint. They are an absolute high pressure machine that will just devour buyers. I did my homework, already ran the numbers, know what my trade was listed at on NADA, etc. They offered me half of the trade in value, wanted 20% down, and the payment was mathematically so far off that even they couldn’t explain it. In the end, I got absolutely everything I demanded and literally just caved in because they knew they couldn’t win with me.
After that experience, it’s so obvious why they have such a terrible reputation. Now I’m dealing with a warranty repair through them and it’s not disappointing either.
We did the same. They tried and tried but in the end I got exactly what I wanted for my trade plus they sold me my 5th for the advertised show price. Then tried to hit me with a high interest rate even though I’m 800+ score. They finally came down to a going rate. They did however win on the cost of a 2nd a/c installation. That was over a thousand bucks that I thought I had included in the deal. I guess I missed that while reading everything. So they got me on that. My fault.
Camping World is terrible. It is sad that they are being allowed to take over so much of the industry. I patronize the store but I would never, ever buy an rv from them. The one time we tried, we ended up walking out in the middle of the sales manager’s spiel. They chased us onto the parking lot. It was pretty bad.
My friend bought one of their trailers and had some problems. They never came to fix them. Brand new trailer barely two months old and under warranty. I wouldn’t suggest this place.
Looking at my Camping world stock, down about .2%
Closed today 28.07. Thor closed $95.47
All businesses ebb and flow. The higher they climb, the farther they have to fall. Camping World may do a lot of damage before they eventually crumble. RVs aren’t quite ready to be sold the Carvana way, however some sort of innovation will emerge or CW will get fat and lazy. Sears and K-Mart and Blockbuster and Circuit City are all variations on the theme. The question here is one of the valid points – what fallout will there be?
He’ll dictate the purchase price for RV manuf and drive a few of them out of business, too many now as is. But employment in Elkhart will drop over the next 5 yrs for sure. Camping world will have a greater share of a smaller pie. ATT did it, GM did it, banks did it. Doesn’t work out well in long term…
Camping world built a new store from ground up in Green Bay Wisconsin absolutely empty nothing, nada. Built one in Oshkosh Wisconsin. Same thing whats the deal?
They built one in Onalaska as well & it is sitting empty. Interesting business strategy?? I join the many others who will not do business with CW, I will work with the local dealerships as long as possible.
CW will be the demise of the RV industry if people continue to be suckered into their BS sales, warranty workless, questionable sales reputation, and continued over taking smaller dealers. As far as I look at CW, they are the Walmart of the RV world. NO ONE should do ANY BUSINESS with them and RV’ers past, current, and potential buyers should take their business elsewhere. ONLY future RV owners can bring down the monopoly CW has become and not soon enough!
I thought there were laws in place to keep from having a monopoly in any segment of commerce.
Quality issues have become such an issue I am not buying. We need lemon laws for RVs also.
Honestly after company ceo came out against conservatives years ago I permanently took camping world off my list.
Camping World is already too expensive on RVs, so if they buy up everybody else then none of us will be buying RVs anymore. I will not pay the outrageous price that they get for RVs, I will go without. Most of the RVs out there are junk anyway they’re built worse than a mobile home.
I guess most newbies won’t understand this. On the other hand so many who decide to purchase their RVs do their preliminary research online. I did and then visited dealers directly. Eventually, I settled on airstream product. One of the reasons is I have heard so many horror stories and RV dealerships in general, that I wanted to avoid them. And the airstream dealership in my area discounted a small amount, provided attractive financing options, and great warranties and follow up service. I’m very happy with my Airstream Atlas purchase and the dealership. The only issue that makes me sad is that Airstream is now owned by Thor. Thor, in the manner of Camping World, has been buying up RV manufacturers. This could be the subject of another of your articles.
Here’s a prophetic example of how large companies differ from local businesses… https://kfor.com/news/local/frustrating-okc-camping-world-hit-by-vandals-customers-and-business-lose-1000s/
May be just one incident, and such things do happen no matter how responsible the business is with their security, though it is telling on how the one customer (victim) in the article was notified….
…and how he had already been waiting two months for a $200 repair?
Since “King Marcus” stated that any supporters of Trump were not welcome in his business’, I pledged to never purchase anything from “King Marcus” businesses. I would stop RV’ing if it meant buying an RV from Campworld.
No_TDS. — No Marcus Lemonis did not say that. He was misquoted and then social media picked it up and the rest is history. Marcus had not yet learned his lesson to watch his words carefully when talking to the media, knowing that they could be twisted. I am not a fan of Mr. Lemonis, but he got a raw deal with this never-ending misquote.
Chuck, I actually saw the interview. ML did clearly Quote his Disdane for Trump and his Supporters. I can personally send you the link to the interview.
Send me the interview then BNS. As I recall he said something regarding the race protests in Charlotte and it got twisted. Please send me the interview then, so I can confirm whether I am right or wrong. I don’t want to be spreading misinformation. You can email me at chuck (at) RVtravel.com .
The only thing I saw from the race protests in Charlotte that got twisted Chuck was what Trump said, when the MSM cherry picked a portion of 2 sentences from Trumps speech, leaving out all of the contextulization of the sentences, in an effort to falsely make all MAGA and everything Trump into rascists. Context.
I couldn’t agree more with you on disinformation Chuck. In today’s issue, the trivia piece was a good example of something needing context.
Iam sorry, Chuck. Your Wrong! I can send you the link to the Interview. ML clearly stated his Disdane for Trump and his Supporters.
If Chuck will allow (if it’s even retrievable) the link of the untouched interview to be available so the unvarnished truth is finally out. I sure would would like to watch it here, unfiltered so every reader of RVTravel can approve or not. It may be relevant material for 99% of the readers.
I hope you have access to it and can get it off to Chuck. I would like to know, 1 way or the other.
How sad and maddening.